Ray Rice Asks America For One More Chance

Ray Rice Asks America For One More Chance

Embattled football star Ray Rice is asking America for one more chance.

Ray stood side-by-side with his wife, Janay, and his in-laws in the kitchen of his home, talking with the Today show's Matt Lauer.

Ray told Lauer, "I took full responsibility for everything that I did. And the only thing I can hope for and wish for is a second chance. We all just want our lives back."

For much of the interview, Janay's dad, Joe Palmer, appeared stern-faced and did not even look at Ray.

Psychologist Dr. Cooper Lawrence told INSIDE EDITION, "You could see he was very uncomfortable, not very happy, perhaps nervous about what he maybe wanted to say and couldn't."

The interview is the first since that embarrassing press conference last May when Janay apologized but Ray didn't.

In the press conference, Janay said, "I do deeply regret the role that I played in the incident that night."

They now say it was all scripted by the Baltimore Ravens.

Ray told Lauer, "I made a horrendous mistake not apologizing to my wife. We were going in and we were given what to speak about. It wasn't truly coming from us, if you can understand."

Ray and Janay say they have sworn off alcohol. They were seen at a noisy celebration at a trendy sports bar in Manhattan over the weekend. Published reports say tequila, vodka, and champagne were flowing, but a spokesman for Ray and Janay say the couple did not drink anything.

So far, no NFL teams are showing any interest in signing Ray, and Janay says she's ready to become the breadwinner.

Janay said, "God forbid he doesn't play football again, then I'll step in and, you know, maybe I'll be the provider."